The Old State House was built in 1713 and served as a government building, housing -among others- the Massachusetts General Court, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court & the old City Hall. Today, it is the oldest public building in Boston, located at the intersection of Washington & State streets, atop the State Street subway station on the Blue & Orange lines —the station is entered through the Old State House’s basement! It is an integral part of the Freedom Trail —the famous 2.5-mile-long path through downtown Boston, that passes by 16 locations, significant to the history of the United States: on March 5, 1770 the Boston Massacre -an event that escalated tension between the colonies and the British Rule and is believed to have laid the foundations for later events (like the Boston Tea Party) leading to the American Revolution- took place in front of the building on King’s Street (currently State Street) while, in the same evening governor Thomas Hutchinson was able to minimally restore order, speaking to the people from the balcony on the building’s eastern side (overlooking King’s Street) and promising there would be a fair inquiry into the shootings if the crowd dispersed.Later, on July 18, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was first proclaimed by Colonel Thomas Crafts, from that same balcony, to the citizens of Boston.

Bostonians looked to the sea for their economic well-being. Maritime trade drove the town’s vigorous economy. Many merchants importing and exporting goods, amassed vast fortunes. Sailors, shipbuilders and a wide range of artisans were productively employed in the sea trade. More than forty wharves, twelve shipyards and six ropewalks lined Boston’s bustling mile-long harbor. •Hadley Quadrant [also referred to as a reflecting quadrant or Hadley’s Octant]. Navigators used quadrants to determine a ship’s location by calculating the sun’s position.

Plaque of Royal Arms. A symbol of royal authority, this royal arms hung on the doorway of the Province House, the Governor’s residence.

Here’s a model of the building, so that you can also take a closer look at the museum’s tower: it underwent a major restoration that was concluded in 2008. During the project, the building’s 1713 weathervane, which may have been made by Shem Drowne, was re-gilded. The windows were repaired and resealed, the balustrades were repaired and the copper roofing and rotten wood siding was replaced. It is, however, currently inaccessible to the public.

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A stalwart bookworm ever since I can remember myself. I studied English & American Literature and became an EFL/ESOL Teacher. I successfully(!) combined teaching and working as an executive secretary, in a big advertising company and a law firm, for several years. I'm a freelance writer, line editor, and blogger as of lately. Also, a bit ironic by nature but, all in all, quite easy-going. Partner to 1 & mother to 2 cats. I once tried to give up coffee and then swore to never make that mistake again... Read More…

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A morning @ Lake Kerkini {part 2} I didn’t think you’ve had enough of the amazing place, where you can feast your eyes on the horizon for hours on end, and lose the line between the sky and the water, so there you go! Στο βορειοδυτικό τμήμα του νομού Σερρών, μόλις 40 χλμ. από την πόλη